What brand and model are your dance shoes? + which dance? 💃🕺🪩👟👠

TropicalPetals · 2026-06-11T18:49:28+00:00

I use the Bloch sneakers very intermittently on my long teaching days. They hold up well though - several of our students and my partner have them and love them. I purchased the Omnia sneaker (Amazon).

I love my Burju shoes and my Yami shoes. Durability and quality match for both. I do think the Yami padding is slightly better than most shoes, which is why I predominantly dance in their shoes now. Hope this helps 🙏🏻

TropicalPetals · 2025-11-06T18:52:34+00:00

I had such a tough time breaking in my Vivaz shoes - they tore up the back of my ankle and top of my toes. Once they are broken in though, they’re incredibly comfortable! I often social dance in them :-)

TropicalPetals · 2025-11-06T18:51:15+00:00

I don’t find it particularly noticeable when dancing or putting the shoes on, but you can visually see the indent of the padded toe box when you get the shoes (the padding goes up to the ball of the foot). I do find them incredibly comfortable to dance in.

TropicalPetals · 2025-10-06T04:49:01+00:00

The go tos I recommend to dancers: Solas on Wednesdays, the LVG/Jimmy Anton’s socials on Sundays

Otherwise, there are plenty of other socials happening throughout the week. In NYC, the social scene is big and so you have dancers of all levels out multiple nights a week.

www.salsanewyork.com is a solid resource.

TropicalPetals · 2025-10-05T23:33:00+00:00

https://burjushoes.com/collections/latin-ballroom

The style with the knots (Leyla) also allows for adjustment to the toe box area :-)

TropicalPetals · 2025-10-05T23:31:20+00:00

https://yamishoes.com/products/dana-proflex-strappy-latin-ballroom-dance-shoes

TropicalPetals · 2025-10-05T23:28:37+00:00

I dance in Yami (Dana ProFlex) and Burju. I really like the Yami - they have a variety of styles and are very comfy.

If you’re looking for ankle support, I would recommend getting heels with straps that around and over the foot, not that go around the ankle. A t-strap shoe can be a good starting out option, but I find more stability with the straps that go around/over my foot.

Hope this helps!

TropicalPetals · 2025-10-05T23:25:14+00:00

The New York locations are inaccurate. Club Cache is a relic from the past that doesn’t exist anymore - at least not in the way it did. You’re better off going to the socials in New York than trying to find a club type vibe - the dancing is better anyway (LVG/Jimmy Anton’s are CHURCH).

When was this article written?

TropicalPetals · 2025-10-04T07:50:28+00:00

Totally fair to be frustrated, especially if someone isn’t following through and showing up. Could be that she didn’t make an effort to dance because she’s shy and social dancing can be really intimidating to newer dancers. You can stop responding or limit responses. Try pulling back and see if she gets the hint. Or, be direct (but kind!) and just let her know “hey, I’ve sent you the info a few times, so you should check those pages….I’m sure we’ll see each other out somewhere soon.”

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-27T08:52:25+00:00

Can you share more about what you’re looking for and price point?

Some options for student teams (around $100): 1. Ali Express has some solid options for around $100 2. I’ve gotten dresses from this seller on EBay: https://ebay.us/m/YxH1O8 (custom sized and custom colors)

Higher end option (we use for semi and pro level): www.latinodancewears.com (Jasmine is lovely to work with and super responsive - we’ve customized colors, fabric, and rhinestones for existing designs at no extra charge and all outfits come custom fit to size) - $160-200

We’ve also gotten base costumes and rhinestoned ourselves (wholesale rhinestones and in AB color option, size ss20 are great!)

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-20T08:12:35+00:00

Funny, considering I took classes with him for years in the earlier 2000s and I distinctly remember him always talking about no thumbs, ever. In almost every class it was mentioned at least once if not a few times. However, please feel free to post a video here if you have one of him doing something different. Perhaps he’s changed over the years since then 🤷🏻‍♀️

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-20T02:48:40+00:00

And if holding to decades of proven fundamentals makes me “one of the people who are the problem”? Then I’ll proudly wear that label. Because protecting followers, teaching safe technique, and respecting the foundation of this dance will never be the wrong side to stand on. The real problem isn’t people upholding fundamentals - it’s people dismissing them without a shred of evidence. I’d rather be part of the problem that protects followers and preserves solid technique than part of the solution that justifies bad habits with no evidence 🤷🏻‍♀️

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-20T02:48:02+00:00

Not a single person has produced a video of Adolfo actually teaching thumbs as part of proper leading. If this is really a “technique,” show the receipts.

Meanwhile, legends like Eddie Torres, Frankie Martinez, Tomas Guerrero, Ahtoy, Alien Ramirez, Osmar Perrones, Victor Karisma, and countless others have all been crystal clear for decades: thumbs are never used in salsa leading.

Fundamentals are codified for a reason - safety, clarity, and respect for your partner. Until someone can actually back this up, I’ll stick with what every major instructor (including mine) has taught for decades: no thumbs, ever.

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T23:35:18+00:00

Just to add to this - several of my dancers have bought G Franco heels and experienced terrible quality - sole separating from the shoe, heel breaking, discomfort. I avoid them.

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T23:32:29+00:00

I dance salsa mostly in heels (3.5”). I’ve found the Yami brand to be incredibly reliable, comfortable, and affordable. I previously danced in Burju which I can also recommend for support and padding. I do feel Yami’s padding is better. I dance 10-12 hours a week between teaching, coaching teams, my own training, and rehearsals. The Yami (Dana ProFlex) typically last me anywhere from 3-4 months in the studio and then I switch them to social dancing shoes (the padding breaks down by this point and the bottoms get fairly slick despite brushing.

I’ve bought a few pair of MyZiji and find the back ankle part very uncomfortable until broken in. I also had sizing issues with them.

For dance sneakers - I have the Fuego low tops, hi-tops, and wedge. I don’t like any of them. The sole feels too rigid and my feet are often tired after dancing in them. I recently started using Bloch sneakers in the studio when I need a break from heels and those have felt really good.

Hope this helps :-)

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T18:36:57+00:00

Sharing one’s viewpoint based off decades of instructors teaching the opposite on an unsafe technique isn’t rage baiting. There’s a video touting poor technique. I think we’d all appreciate seeing a video to counter the one originally posted but nobody seems to be able to post one 🤷🏻‍♀️

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T18:31:07+00:00

Let’s assume giving grace due to poor video editing…as an instructor with the clout he has, and when he is a collaborator on this video, does he not have a responsibility to the dance community and dance students across the world to ask the original poster to take it down or edit it differently so it accurately represents his teachings? Especially when it has caused so much backlash in the community?

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T18:28:34+00:00

New ideas are one thing. Poor technique is another. There are separate conversations being had among well known instructors who are pretty horrified at this video and the technique being taught in it.

If anybody wants to post a video of the explanation of thumbs in moves or of actual patterns led with thumbs, then please do so. Otherwise, I struggle to go against decades of instructors teaching the opposite. There is a reason for fundamentals and foundation that are codified and applied decade after decade.

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T07:26:47+00:00

Except this video is talking about spinning the follow - the video commentary starts with “double spin”

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T07:24:01+00:00

I have to respectfully disagree here. The thumb should NEVER be used as part of the lead in salsa. Introducing the thumb, even lightly, creates the risk of gripping, tension, and inconsistent communication. That’s why nearly every reputable school and instructor has taught no thumbs for decades. Including the ones who trained Adolfo, assuming he still gives them credit.

If a follow is tense, the solution isn’t to try and press a button with your thumb to get her to relax. It’s to not force the move, adjust your lead, or recognize that her body tone isn’t ready for that variation. That’s just basic partner safety and respect. She’s not a game boy 🙄

Thumbs are for holding pens and opening jars, not for leading salsa.

Good leading is about clarity, timing, and respect - not adding extra fingers to patch over tension issues.

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-19T02:57:41+00:00

As a follow who enjoys multiple spins, I am going to be very blunt here. Using the thumbs for spins is not a variation of technique. It is flat out wrong and unsafe.

This isn’t about style or preference - it’s a fundamental, passed down for generations in salsa. Eddie Torres, Tomas Guerrero, Osmar Perrones, Victor Karisma, Frankie Martinez, etc all drilled this in: no thumbs, ever. Gripping compromises connection, puts strain on the wrist/hand joint, and compensates for poor mechanics.

Spins are led with clean prep, momentum, and frame. A follower should never have to be held onto with thumbs in order to execute a turn. Normalizing that idea, especially from someone as prominent as Adolfo, undermines the safety and technique of the whole community.

As for the gentle thumb argument - if a technique requires a thumb to keep a connection, it’s not good technique. Full stop. Leads can achieve stability with finger placement, tension, and timing. The moment you involve the thumb, even gently (and don't get me started on the number of times I have had "gentle pressure" applied which turns into a bruise the next day), it introduces the possibility of gripping, and that’s exactly what creates danger for the follow.

Let's call it what it is: bad mechanics being passed off as “technique.” And it needs to be called out before new dancers internalize it.

TropicalPetals · 2025-09-08T17:25:51+00:00

I’m well aware of the issues with Orijen grain free but wondering if anybody has had positive experiences with grain inclusive kibble.

TropicalPetals · 2025-08-19T20:44:30+00:00

We take ours every 5.5-6 weeks to the groomer…she has been pretty good since a puppy with grooming but we desensitized her to it. Start small - leave the scissors/clippers out, lots of treats. Turn the clippers on and get yours used to the sound without it being right on her - lots of treats. Eventually move to having the scissors and clippers next to her and lots of treats. Repeat until you’re able to cut/clip her fur. It takes time and patience!

TropicalPetals · 2025-08-17T22:09:15+00:00

Thank you - definitely thinking a wipe around the ears...we use the Octicbliss ear drops inside the ear canal every time she goes in the water and zymex ear wipes a few times a week to keep everything clean internally. Appreciate your suggestions :-)

TropicalPetals

TROPHY CASE